Jefferson County Sheriff searching for fugitive

UPDATE: The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office warrant division would like to thank the media and public for assistance in the capture of Kenneth Ray Taylor. Thanks to a Crime Stoppers Tipster, Taylor was taken into custody by the Beaumont Police Department on the night of Feb. 6, 2013, at an apartment in the 3100 block of Eastex Freeway. The tipster is eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for their information leading to this dangerous fugitive's arrest.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) is asking the public’s help in finding a dangerous fugitive.

According to a press release, police are searching for Kenneth Ray Taylor, 23, of Beaumont in connection to three May 2012 robberies.

Sheriff’s Deputy Rod Carroll said Taylor is suspected of robbing three people in the parking lot of Luke’s Icehouse on Calder. He said soon after the suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money, a fight ensued and the would-be thief was shot.

“The third person he was robbing got in a scuffle with him over the gun and he (the suspect) shot himself.”

Carroll said Taylor was likely shot in the leg.

Having been on the run for months, Taylor might have changed his appearance to elude police and is likely to be staying with close friends, Carroll said.

“He’s running from us,” he said. “He’s changed his look.”

JCSO is offering a cash reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or capture of Taylor, who should be considered armed and dangerous.

“He’s still in the area. ‘Cause we’re still getting phone calls about him,” Carroll said. “He’s just on the run.”